26 weeks and 7 days pregnant

This baby looks quite cross. Your baby often makes strange and funny faces in the uterus. It’s as if he is practising every type of facial expression in preparation for after the birth when these will be one of the tools he uses to communicate his needs and emotions.

As you soak in a relaxing bath, it’s an amazing sight to look at your baby moving and stretching your belly.

Your belly is a marvellous thing.It’s already changed so much over the last 27 weeks and will continue to grow until you give birth.

Inside that bump your growing baby is moving around. When your baby is kicking and turning around, take the time to look down, and you may be able to see him move or even see the imprint of a foot as it kicks you.

While you’re having a bath is a good time to watch your belly – you may find that your baby is more active around this time because you’re relaxed – and you can take time out to observe his movements. Keep your partner involved when your baby is active by encouraging him to touch your bump.

Watching your baby move is wonderful. You may even miss your ever-expanding and active bump once you’re no longer pregnant.

My tummy measurement has been the same for three weeks. Why isn’t my baby growing?

From 24 to 36–37 weeks of pregnancy, your abdomen can be measured to establish the height of the top of the uterus, which indicates how the baby is growing. In early pregnancy, this type of measurement doesn’t give an indication of fetal growth.

When a midwife measures your abdomen, there is an element of subjectivity depending on the technique he or she uses. So if you’ve been measured by different midwives the results may be difficult to compare. However, even with the same person measuring you, the estimation of your baby’s growth may still not be 100 per cent accurate. If there are any concerns, you will probably be referred to a consultant to decide whether you need to have further investigations, such as a scan.

Being pregnant is more tiring than most women anticipate.In the third trimester, your partner’s bladder is under pressure and this can cause her to wake during the night to go to the loo. The size of the bump starts to become uncomfortable, and it can be difficult for her to find a relaxing sleeping position. The other changes she’s going through, from shifting internal organs through to altered hormone levels, can contribute to her restlessness. And if she’s having troubling sleeping, you are likely to be disturbed too. The end result is that both of you feel constantly tired.

Unfortunately there is no answer. Going to bed earlier can help, but having some time to relax together before bed is just as important. The bottom line is that disrupted sleeping patterns will now become part of the norm for both of you. There is no quick fix to this problem, but it may help to cut back your social life in the evenings.